Free eCatholic website features that will turn you into a digital superstar

How reliable is your parish website?

Is it easy to navigate? Can visitors find things like Mass times or directions? Are you able to update your content for changing liturgical seasons?

If you're a website administrator for a parish, these are the questions you should be asking when it comes to your website. Just as the success of a runner can begin with their type of shoe, the success of your parish can also begin with a website. The eCatholic website platform is home to a few FREE features (which we've highlighted in this blog) that will help you get started off on the "right foot" when designing a beautiful and functional Catholic website.

We've broken up our highlighted features into a few categories. Enjoy reading more about: the technology offered in eCatholic websites; tried-and-true ways your website can communicate with site visitors; and how our world-class support team is here to serve you.

Custom eCatholic Technology

We're always updating our technology to make it easy for you to use. Listed below are just a few of the unique features that will help you create and build with ease.

1

Drag-and-Drop Functionality

There's no complicated code involved in building an eCatholic website. Instead, we've created individual modules that are intended to hold particular types of information, which you can simply drag-and-drop right onto your website pages. From text modules to event and calendar modules to video modules, providing the content on your website that your parishioners want to see is quick and straightforward.

2

The Headline Section

The Headline Section, as its title suggests, is a tool that can be used to feature important information, anywhere on your website. Most commonly featured on the homepage, this tool allows you to modify the style of your featured background image, the justification of text and images, and your choice of two different eye-catching call-to-action buttons, just to name a few.

Want to see the Headline Section in action?

Check out our Headline Section Webinar for an introduction to the tool and see how it adds a little extra flavor wherever it is included on your website.

Watch Webinar Now!

3

Unique Catholic Content

The Catholic Content modules which are included on every eCatholic website, contains all you need in order to keep parishioners up to date with Catholic news, Daily Readings, and so much more. We include these modules because we want to make websites for Catholic communities, not just any church.

Some of our Catholic Content modules even feature Bishop Barron and Word on Fire, so your flock will be well informed and able to grow in faith at the same time. Our team loves the Church, which is why you can always look forward to more technology that helps you spread the Gospel.

Clear Communication Tools

Communication is key, right? How many times have you heard that before? Good communication within your community is essential in maintaining loyal and happy parishioners. Luckily, eCatholic websites offers a few ways to do just that.

1

MassTime™ Button

At at time when Church websites are frequented with visitors looking for very specific information, eCatholic's MassTime™ provides immediate clarity about a parish’s most commonly asked questions. When activated, the MassTime™ button is permanently located in the bottom right hand corner of every website page, no matter where your visitor explores, and when clicked, will open up to reveal more information. This intuitive button makes it unimaginably easy for parishioners to find the Mass schedule at your parish.

In addition to Mass times, you can also include Confession and Eucharistic Adoration times, and even directions to the parish. The MassTime™ button ensures your website visitors are satisfied the very first time they visit your website - which may entice them to return, because they had such a "nice" experience, and didn't need to mine for the information they are looking to find.

2

Language Translation

If your website needs to have multiple languages, fear not! Our team of experts have previously assembled a list of pro-tips and strategies which you can implement on your website, in order to reach those who speak in a different tongue. Check out a few helpful links below that will point you in the right direction and provide great examples:

Language Translation  Blog Post: How to translate your website (and whether you actually need to)

Multi-lingual Ministry Website: Centre International St. Joseph

Service-focused Support

For many consumers, the experiences they have with a company is just as important as the product they purchase. How many times has one simple technology question spurred hours of searching in online customer forums and lengthy, unhelpful phone calls? It's a frustrating experience and most times, you still don't come up with a solution. Providing unlimited support to each and every eCatholic customer helps get the answers you need, so you can get back to what's really important - ministry.

Every part of our website platform was built by Catholics, for Catholics - and while we strive to keep that mentality at top of mind for every product, service, and solution that we provide, it is especially prevalent within our world-class support team. They know the blessings (and challenges) of working in ministry, and can truly relate to your questions and needs.

Over 6,500 parishes, schools and ministries use eCatholic as their website provider. When you partner with eCatholic, you get so much more than just a website. You'll get the right tools and a phenomenal support team that helps you use technology to spread the Gospel.

For our existing clients, thank you for joining us on this journey and for letting us be a part of yours. If you'd like to get started on your own eCatholic website, our door is open to become part of our growing family.